Merced River (V17)
This 112-mile river is popular among boaters, anglers, campers, hikers, and photo-snapping tourists alike.
Guide Sections
Use Merced River (V17)'s guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Merced River (V17) Details
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Yosemite Valley
This river is largely fed by melting mountain snow in the High Sierra. Meandering through granite canyons before dropping over Vernal and Nevada Falls and reaching Yosemite Valley's shady pine forests, the river provides the valley and its surrounding areas with a rich ecosystem. The river is home to some of the Park's less famous habitants, including the Chinook salmon, Sacramento sucker, the Great Blue Heron, and the Western Scrub Jay. The present name is much less shorter than the original - El Rio de Nuestra Señora de la Merced (The River of Our Lady of Mercy). Roadside marker: V17